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US 9,522,210 B2Granted
Methods of purifying air
AssigneeLifeAire Systems, LLC
InventorKathryn C. Worrilow
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods for purifying air with air purifiers are disclosed. Optionally, the methods provide purified air characterized by: a TVOC content of from less than 5 ppb to about 500 ppb; and a particulate content of from about 1,000 0.3 μm particles per ft3 to about 50,000 0.3 μm particles per ft3, or from about 600 0.5 μm particles per ft3 to about 500,000 0.5 μm particles per ft3.
Claims18
A method comprising:
- a. providing an air purifier to purify air, the air purifier comprising:
- i. a housing having an inlet for receiving air and an outlet for exhausting air, the housing providing an air flow path for the flow of air in a downstream direction, from the inlet towards the outlet, the air purifier comprising HEPA or ULPA filtration within the housing;
- ii. particulate pre-filtration within the housing downstream from the inlet;
- iii. oxidizing and adsorbing VOC pre-filtration within the housing downstream from the particulate pre-filtration, wherein the VOC pre-filtration comprises carbon as an adsorption medium;
- iv. UV filtration within the housing downstream from the VOC pre-filtration;
- and
- v. oxidizing and adsorbing VOC post-filtration within the housing downstream from the UV filtration, wherein the VOC post-filtration comprises carbon as an adsorption medium;
- and
- b. purifying the air with the air purifier, thereby providing purified air, wherein IVF is performed in the purified air, the method further comprising providing one or more sensors for detecting total VOC (TVOC) levels in the purified air, wherein the sensors detect TVOC levels in real time and wherein the sensors are coupled to a monitor to provide information to a user reflective of a need to replace the VOC pre-filtration and/or the VOC post-filtration, the purified air being characterized by:
- i. a TVOC content of from less than 5 ppb to about 500 ppb;
- and
- ii. a particulate content of from about 1,000 0.3 μm particles per ft3 to about 50,000 0.3 μm particles per ft3, or from about 600 0.5 μm particles per ft3 to about 500,000 0.5 μm particles per ft3.
9 more elements
A method comprising:
- a. providing an air purifier to purify air, the air purifier comprising:
- i. a housing having an inlet for receiving air and an outlet for exhausting air, the housing providing an air flow path for the flow of air in a downstream direction, from the inlet towards the outlet;
- ii. particulate pre-filtration within the housing downstream from the inlet;
- iii. VOC filtration within the housing downstream from the particulate pre-filtration, wherein the VOC filtration comprises carbon as an adsorption medium;
- iv. HEPA or ULPA filtration within the housing downstream from the VOC filtration;
- and
- v. at least one UVC source within the housing downstream from the HEPA or ULPA filtration;
- b. providing a booster fan within the housing for providing a desired air flow rate through the air purifier, wherein the booster fan is coupled to a control system that measures air flow rate within the air purifier and wherein the control system actuates the booster fan as needed to maintain the desired air flow rate;
- c. providing one or more sensors for detecting total VOC (TVOC) levels in the purified air in real time, wherein sensors are coupled to a monitor to:
- i. indicate TVOC levels detected by the one or more sensors;
- and/or
- ii. provide information to a user reflective of a need to replace the VOC filtration;
- and
- d. purifying the air with the air purifier, thereby providing purified air, wherein IVF is performed in the purified air, the purified air being characterized by:
- i. a TVOC content of from less than 5 ppb to about 500 ppb;
- and
- ii. a particulate content of from about 1,000 0.3 μm particles per ft3 to about 50,000 0.3 μm particles per ft3, or from about 600 0.5 μm particles per ft3 to about 500,000 0.5 μm particles per ft3.
14 more elements
A method comprising:
- a. providing an air purifier to purify air, the air purifier comprising:
- i. a housing having an inlet for receiving air and an outlet for exhausting air, the housing providing an air flow path for the flow of air in a downstream direction, from the inlet towards the outlet, the air purifier comprising HEPA or ULPA filtration within the housing;
- ii. particulate pre-filtration within the housing downstream from the inlet;
- iii. VOC pre-filtration within the housing downstream from the particulate pre-filtration, wherein the VOC pre-filtration comprises carbon as an adsorption medium;
- iv. UV filtration within the housing downstream from the VOC pre-filtration;
- and
- v. VOC post-filtration within the housing downstream from the UV filtration, wherein the VOC post-filtration comprises carbon as an adsorption medium;
- vi. a humidifier within the housing downstream from the VOC post-filtration;
- and
- vii. at least one UVC source downstream from the humidifier;
- and
- b. purifying the air with the air purifier, thereby providing purified air, the method further comprising providing one or more sensors for detecting total VOC (TVOC) levels in the purified air.
9 more elements
A method comprising:
- a. providing an air purifier to purify air, the air purifier comprising:
- i. a housing having an inlet for receiving air and an outlet for exhausting air, the housing providing an air flow path for the flow of air in a downstream direction, from the inlet towards the outlet;
- ii. particulate pre-filtration within the housing downstream from the inlet;
- iii. VOC filtration within the housing downstream from the particulate pre-filtration, wherein the VOC filtration comprises carbon as an adsorption medium;
- iv. HEPA or ULPA filtration within the housing downstream from the VOC filtration;
- and
- v. at least one UVC source within the housing downstream from the HEPA or ULPA filtration;
- and
- vi. a humidifier downstream from the HEPA or ULPA filtration and upstream from the at least one UVC source
- b. providing a booster fan within the housing for providing a desired air flow rate through the air purifier, wherein the booster fan is coupled to a control system that measures air flow rate within the air purifier and wherein the control system actuates the booster fan as needed to maintain the desired air flow rate;
- and
- c. purifying the air with the air purifier, thereby providing purified air.
9 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.